A lot of Instagram users are not happy. Overnight, there has been widespread frustration expressed in the comments sections of Instagram posts (and no doubt Facebook, Twitter and news articles) condemning the recent updates to the once much-loved app.

The majority of users’ concerns (even Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner weighed in) are regarding Instagram’s determination to be exactly like TikTok, and not an app of its own. Gone are the days of the image — Instagram is deprioritising them over Reels and strongly supporting the creator sector with the introduction of NFTs, Creator Marketplace, a new feed layout in beta testing, and increased suggested posts in feeds to help creators get discovered.

In March, we discussed the battle for short-form video across all the top social media apps, however, the most surprising thing that’s come out of the furore behind Instagram’s continual updates and video focus — and despite TikTok usage trends exploding — is that people want the old Instagram — bring back photos!

Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri shared a video update on July 26th to rebut concerns, claiming:“We’re going to stay committed to creators. We’re going to stay committed to photos.”

Hear more below.

Few people are comforted by Mosseri’s response with comments by passionate users and creators concerned that he isn’t hearing what people are truly saying: the algorithm is against them. The app is against them. Users want to use Instagram for what Instagram is good for, and likewise for other platforms. See below for some of the 20,000+ comments left in on Mosseri’s post:

We spoke to one of our social media managers, Em, on her thoughts on Instagram’s updates, the focus on video, and the much held desire for photos to once again be prioritised on the app:

“Instagram doesn't know what it wants to be. It's a confusing mix of TikTok, news, branded content and overly curated content from users/influencers. There’s also an array of placements making it way too much to absorb: in-feed, Stories, Guides, Reels. It's also brand advertisement central, making it un-genuine. I think a shift is going to happen where more users will switch to authentic social platforms like BeReal.”

Let’s hope the people’s voices are heard and we get a fair, and mostly usable, app back.